Saturday 11,Jan,2025 {HMC} Federal Minister of Interior Ali Yusuf Hoosh has sharply criticized Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni for what he described as a failure to effectively address the growing security threats in the region, particularly from ISIS.
“The Puntland leadership has failed to prioritize the fight against ISIS over the past few years, allowing the group to strengthen its foothold,” Minister Hoosh said in a statement. He accused the regional administration of neglecting its responsibilities and contributing to the security crisis now threatening Puntland and Somalia.
Minister Hoosh called on Puntland’s intellectuals and people to critically assess the current direction of the administration, which he claimed has strayed from the principles on which it was founded.
“It is unacceptable for Puntland to be driven by personal interests and divisive policies,” he said, urging the regional leadership to align its policies with national unity and solidarity.
The minister also highlighted the Somali federal government’s recent progress in various sectors, emphasizing the need for Puntland to play a more active role in fostering political stability and unity across the country.
The criticism comes two weeks after the ISIS fighters attacked a military base in Dharjaale in the Bari region. ISIS claimed responsibility for the assault, alleging that 22 Puntland soldiers were killed and dozens injured. At the same time, Puntland authorities have disputed these figures.
ISIS established a foothold in Puntland’s remote Al Miskat Mountains in 2015 and has since leveraged the area’s rugged terrain and Puntland’s strategic location to expand its operations. The group funds its activities through extortion and smuggling networks, posing a persistent threat to regional security.
